THE constant blackout that hit Demerara and Berbice on Tuesday resulted from three shutdowns of the Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), the Guyana Power and Light has said.

GPL says the DBIS experienced three shutdowns — at approximately 12:03 hrs, 12:58 hrs, and 16:04 hrs — due to a suspected fault on the 69kv transmission line linking the Kingston Power Station to the Sophia Substation (Dispatch Centre). This transmission line remains isolated from the DBIS grid.

According to GPL, while efforts are ongoing to determine the origin of the shutdowns, power was restored within minutes of each shutdown in both counties, with the exception of customers from Onverwagt to Ithaca, Berbice; Sophia to Success, ECD; and along the East Bank Demerara Corridors. These areas were repowered at about 18:30hrs.

The loss of this transmission line connection between Kingston and Sophia has reduced available generation within the DBIS by 32 megawatts, thus necessitating an emergency load-shedding programme in both counties while work was done assiduously to return normalcy to the grid, GPL said.

Customers are encouraged to visit GPL website at www.gplinc.net and GPL Inc. Facebook page for updates as they become available, GPL added.

“We express regret for this unfortunate situation and the inconveniences caused, and seek the patience of our valued customers,” the power company has said.